Abstract
Power electronics medium-voltage (MV) systems must comply with the requirements defined in grid codes. These systems’ compatibility with the standards can be validated by specialized testing equipment: grid simulators. This paper presents a hardware in the loop (HiL) implementation and the simulation results of a MV multiphase DC/DC converter designed for MV DC grid emulation. By using ABB’s reliable, patented power converter hardware topology (US 10978948 B2) and by applying advanced control algorithms, the presented system can be used for special purposes, such as the emulation of fault events in a DC-grid used for the certification of other devices, or for other research goals. The presented concept of a power electronics DC-grid simulator (PEGS-DC) is characterized by high power capability and high voltage quality. In this paper, the general idea of a power electronics grid simulator applied for the testing of MV electrical systems is discussed. Then, details related to the PEGS-DC, such as its hardware topology and the applied modulation method are presented. Subsequently, the HiL setup is described. The main scope of this article focuses on model the description and presenting recorded HiL simulations.
Highlights
Kotsampopoulos, Md Omar FaruqueThe rapid development of the electric power sector, caused by renewable energy sources, active loads, and energy storage, challenges power grids, in terms of their stable and reliable operation
The present article evaluates the performance of real-time simulations and of a multiphase neutral-point clamped (NPC) DC–DC converter that emulates high power MV DC
A power electronics MV DC-grid simulator is a specialized piece of equipment, which could potentially be used for the certification testing of grid-connected devices
Summary
The rapid development of the electric power sector, caused by renewable energy sources, active loads, and energy storage, challenges power grids, in terms of their stable and reliable operation. To address these requirements, specialized testing equipment, called grid emulators, have been developed [4] These systems are characterized by very low voltage harmonics of a high order, and they can simulate grid fault events, such as voltage sags, frequency variation, and weak or strong grids. Its main advantage is a high overcurrent capability, i.e., 2.1 kA per converter phase; a much more reliable topology, which does not require multiple AC/DC converters; and a very low voltage THD, which can be around 1% of the fundamental voltage, due to an LC output filter or optimal voltage pulse pattern (OPP) [14,15] The present article evaluates the performance of real-time simulations and of a multiphase neutral-point clamped (NPC) DC–DC converter that emulates high power MV DC grids This converter topology is based on ABB’s well-proven ACS6000 power converter with output chokes, which is a patented ABB solution [35]. Results of a feasibility study to use the proposed topology as a DC grid simulator by carrying out hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) experiments using the Opal-RT platform are presented
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